Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.25.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

OBAMA CLIMATE PLAN 

Obama’s second-term plan to address climate change (via Climate Progress)

The White House’s big new climate change plan (via Washington Post)

Obama’s climate change plan tackles power plants – not refineries (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama takes on power plant emissions as part of climate plan (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

EU emissions trading scheme oversupply may cancel out renewable gains (via The Guardian)

British Columbia plans to promote carbon taxes in other North American jurisdictions (via Globe and Mail)

US Supreme Court agrees to hear EPA appeal over air pollution rule (via Reuters)

Shadow environmental campaign ramps up to support coming power plant rules (via E&E Daily)

Massachusetts may become first state to adopt direct carbon tax (via Boston Globe)

RENEWABLES 

India set to revive wind energy tax break (via Recharge)

Japan’s high renewable energy costs curb subsidy impact (via Bloomberg)

How wind and solar broke the world’s electricity markets (via Renew Economy)

Sharp hits record 44.4% efficiency for triple-junction solar cell (via Greentech Media)

State renewable energy incentives survive lobby attack (via Stateline)

Houston, Palo Alto make big renewable energy buys (via Sustainable Business)

Solar coming to 200 more Walgreens roofs (via EarthTechling)

Solar gardens give green energy access to more in Colorado (via Denver Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Methane found in drinking water near Pennsylvania natural gas wells (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Insurance firms press governments on climate adaptation (via RTCC)

Air pollution may have suppressed storms in North Atlantic (via New York Times)

Hundreds of small US firms demand climate action (via GreenBiz)

Nebraska trees still dying after 2012 drought (via Lincoln Journal-Star)

OIL 

Exxon to spend $3.2 billion on Russian offshore exploration (via Houston Chronicle)

The Northwest’s pipeline on rails (via Sightline)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Empire State Building exceeds energy efficiency savings (via Energy Manager Today)

Washington DC signs its first major PACE deal for efficiency and solar (via Greentech Media)

TRANSPORTATION 

NREL drives toward the future with fuel cell EVs (via Renewable Energy World)

GRID 

Average US residential summer 2013 electric bill expected to be lowest in four years (via US EIA)

Texas grid operator weighed down by peak electricity demand (via Houston Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pipeline protesters stage largest action yet in Oklahoma (via The Oklahoman)

OPINION 

President Obama’s race against time on climate (via Politico)

Obama’s energy push could loom large in 2014 elections (via Politico)

Why we need a national plan on climate change (via EarthTechling)

The one thing Obama’s climate policy can’t leave out (via CleanTechnica)

Obama tries the kitchen-sink approach to global warming (via Washington Post)

No-drama Obama unveils series of modest, sensible steps on climate change (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.24.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

Report: world facing “climate bomb” of super-greenhouse gases from China, India (via BusinessGreen)

Australian factories meet carbon deadline ahead of cap-and-trade (via Bloomberg)

EU carbon permits fall for first time in six weeks as traders close higher prices (via Bloomberg)

Kerry urges India to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Report: Brazil at an energy-climate change crossroads (via RTCC)

Military report: US has “misguided” fixation with domestic drilling (via InsideClimate News)

The gradual greening of American college campuses (via EarthTechling)

RENEWABLES 

Wind industry “to spend €150 billion” developing global offshore (via Recharge)

World Bank to developing nations: first find your green energy, then develop it (via Christian Science Monitor)

Solar energy spurs a power struggle (via Wall Street Journal)

Tax programs to finance clean energy catch on (via New York Times)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.21.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

World’s cities improving energy efficiency, says report (via Phys.org)

Australia’s costly energy inefficiency (via Renew Economy)

Study: US utilities still lack incentives for efficiency investment (via Midwest Energy News)

UC Berkeley, MIT launch energy efficiency research project (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US to face stiff competition in global LNG market (via Breaking Energy)

EPA abandons study that linked fracking, Wyoming water pollution (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Historic day in China: cap-and-trade begins (via Sustainable Business)

Carbon tax proposed by National Research Council (via Politico)

Sen. Feinstein plans power plant carbon bill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

China, EU solar trade talks get positive (via Renewable Energy World)

Why is China investing so much in US solar and wind? (via WRI Insights)

EU accused of “hampering” sustainable biofuels (via BusinessGreen)

Obama climate plan pushes renewables (via Recharge)

Small wind power systems will surpass $700 million in annual revenue by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

Hawaiian Electric asks to speed up purchase of renewable energy (via Renew Grid)

Houston to buy half its power from renewables (via Houston Chronicle)

COAL 

Record US coal exports fuel climate change debate (via Christian Science Monitor)

CLIMATE 

UN says businesses must prepare for a changing climate (via BusinessGreen)

Profits rule as 110 cities worldwide plan for climate change (via RTCC)

May tied for third-warmest on record globally, says NOAA (via The Hill)

Will Obama’s new climate policy lead to a greener future? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Coming (very) soon: Obama’s climate strategy (via Greentech Media)

New Obama climate plan may draw from March panel recommendations (via Reuters)

ENERGY POLICY 

US government charges lower royalties than many states for oil and gas drilling (via Climate Progress)

North Dakota sees record oil shipments by rail (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Electricity costs 30% less today in US than in 1984 (via Facts of The Day)

GRID 

Energy storage moves wind to baseload power (via Renewable Energy World)

USDA issues another $15 million in smart grid funding (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian ambassador says Keystone denial won’t block mining (via Bloomberg)

145 former Obama campaign staffers urge him to reject Keystone XL (via Climate Progress)

Steyer rejects Obama climate change plan as Keystone deal (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Pipeline foes say Obama’s climate plan no tradeoff for Keystone (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Extreme weather cost US $110 billion in 2012 (via Mother Jones)

Raging Colorado, Arizona wildfires prompt evacuations (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Policy is the muscle behind natural gas vehicles in China (via EnergyWire)

Nissan offers Leaf battery replacement plan: $100 a month (via Green Car Reports)

Ford cuts plan CO2 emissions a third since 2000, targets another third by 2025 (via Green Car Reports)

High-mileage hybrids have huge payoffs (via Phys.org)

Tesla shows off battery swap technology (via BusinessGreen)

POLITICS

Can Obama go post-partisan on climate to offer carbon power plant rules? (via ClimateWire)

White House preps carbon tax – let’s call it “ObamaAir” (via Forbes)

Tom Steyer hints at campaigns beyond Keystone – and Washington (via Politico)

Tom Steyer (and his jar of tar sands oil) comes to Washington (via Mother Jones)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.20.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

Revised EU carbon market fix passes first hurdle (via RTCC)

Obama readying emissions limits on power plants (via New York Times)

Energy risk: the forgotten half of America’s carbon cuts (via Energy Collective)

GOP senators slam significant change to “social cost” of carbon (via The Hill)

US Forest Services study finds urban trees remove air pollution, save lives (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear regulator announces safety guidelines overhaul (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

NREL provides open-source system for large-scale energy data collection (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy performance of 60,000 buildings now open to public (via Sustainable Business)

Energy use in US apartments drops nearly 40% (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Top wind power countries in world per capita (via CleanTechnica)

China and Japan drive Africa renewables investment (via Bloomberg)

Renewables offer least-cost option for Africa energy shortages (via Renew Economy)

Germany energy storage incentive could push PV market further (via Renewable Energy World)

Siemens to develop biofuel from steel industry gases (via BusinessGreen)

Optimizing small wind turbines (via Renewable Energy World)

US state-level renewables push is waning (via Reuters)

2013 state solar policy rankings show most solar-friendly states (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

NW residents’ support for coal dropping (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

CLIMATE 

Global warming threatens Africa food, Asia water within lifetime (via Bloomberg)

Germany insurance claims for flood damage may hit $8 billion (via Reuters)

New US climate strategy coming within weeks (via Reuters)

Ancient pollen in Brazilian rainforest offers climate clues (via BBC News)

Recent trends in climate change indicators (via Energy Collective)

6 of the world’s most extensive climate change adaptation plans (via InsideClimate News)

Report: building resilience to climate-fueled extreme weather “woefully underfunded” (via The Hill)

Mayors launch fight for climate change resiliency (via Energy Collective)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel to keep most its natural gas for domestic use (via Reuters)

Shale gas long-term US success poses interim challenges (via EnergyWire)

US gas reserves down amid shale boom (via Breaking Energy)

3.5MW of new US generation capacity added in May, 72% is natural gas (via Facts of the Day)

Study finds consensus on shale drilling’s biggest risks (via Phys.org/Akron Beacon Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Philippines financial capital bans plastic bags (via Phys.org)

Study maps likely wildlife migration corridors as climate warms (via Yale e360)

Biologists worried by starving migratory birds tied to climate change (via Washington Post)

Wind-wildlife group begins building bird-death database (via Midwest Energy News)

Seabirds face big problems as sea levels rise (via Mongabay)

Southwest US mega-drought: a bad omen for global forests (via Yale e360)

TRANSPORTATION 

New gas mileage rules will reshape what Americans drive (via Green Car Reports)

Power consumption on Ecotricity’s UK’s electric highway increases 45-fold (via CILT-UK)

Why Tesla thinks it can make battery swapping work (via MIT Technology Review)

US researchers create “green” battery using wood (via United Press International)

OIL 

Norway opens Arctic border area to oil drilling (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

GRID 

EPRI software quantifies value of energy storage (via Energy Manager Today)

Will summer blackouts doom the Texas boom? (via Forbes)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Americans buy green to save money, not the climate (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Is Japan solar’s real deal? (via Renewable Energy World)

The time for climate action is now (via Los Angeles Times)

Increased “social cost” of carbon could affect Keystone XL (via CBC News)

The 10 dumbest things ever said about global warming (via Rolling Stone)

Four ways the government subsidizes risky coastal rebuilding (via ProPublica)

Is NYC’s climate plan enough to win the race against rising seas? (via InsideClimate News)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.19.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

COAL 

US coal exports set monthly record (via US EIA)

Army Corps won’t consider global emissions from coal exports (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS

China carbon permits trade 22% below EU on market debut (via Bloomberg)

EU emission trading system set for second “backloading” vote (via RTCC)

Autism tied to air pollution, brain-wiring disconnection (via Bloomberg)

Cutting carbon could save US corporations $780 billion over 10 years (via BusinessGreen)

GRID 

Smart grid market revenue will hit $73 billion annually by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Obama nourishes smart grid to feed his legacy (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

European utilities switch off investment in fossil fuel plants (via New York Times)

Japan’s journey from nuclear to solar power (via EarthTechling)

Moniz sees bright future for solar (via Breaking Energy)

Cape Wind gets $200 million investment from Danish fund (via Phys.org)

California’s solar energy initiative is ending – what has it left behind? (via Energy Collective)

Getting it right in New England’s regional process for Canadian hydropower imports (via CLF Scoop)

CLIMATE 

World Bank says world’s poorest will feel brunt of climate change (via The Guardian)

Small global warming rise would have “alarming” impact, says World Bank (via Reuters)

California and Shenzen, China sign agreement to cooperate on climate change (via Green Car Congress)

Ernest Moniz keeps cool as House GOP disputes climate change (via Politico)

Record-shattering heat bakes Alaska (via Washington Post)

Seattle adopts carbon neutral climate action plan for 2050 (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA official says fracking study won’t be done until 2016 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Bahrain launches green plan to tackle growing energy consumption (via Gulf Daily News)

Firing up Minnesota’s “energy efficiency power plant” (via Midwest Energy News)

Making energy efficiency attractive for owners of older Seattle buildings (via New York Times)

OIL 

US considers exporting more oil for first time since 1970’s (via Bloomberg)

Canada raises liability for offshore oil spills to $1 billion (via Globe and Mail)

Why did officials slap Exxon with an oil spill lawsuit so quickly in Arkansas? (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

South Africa starts three-year study to see if it’s ready for EVs (via Autoblog Green)

Vermont and Quebec announce electric car corridor (via Fox News/AP)

Will you or the grid control your electric car? (via Scientific American)

ENVIRONMENT 

This year’s Gulf of Mexico dead zone could be biggest on record (via Time)

“Extreme” Arizona wildfire burns 5,000 acres in just 7 hours (via NBC News)

LA approves ban on plastic grocery bags (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Why you should care about Solar Impulse and renewable energy’s long journey (via Washington Post)

How reliance on trees can help forests (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.17.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

China sets new rules aimed at curbing air pollution (via New York Times)

Shenzen to launch China’s first carbon trading market (via BusinessGreen)

EPA nominee confirmation delay raises questions about US carbon rules (via Reuters)

White House, EPA at odds over savings from emissions regulations (via The Hill)

COAL 

Coal reaches 29.9% global market share, highest since 1970 (via Facts of the Day)

Coal industry pins hopes on exports as US markets shrinks (via New York Times)

US Capitol power plant becoming cogeneration, quitting coal (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Solar power shines in oil-rich Saudi Arabia (via Christian Science Monitor)

Hydrogen plant starts storing wind energy in Germany (via Houston Chronicle)

China pledges support for domestic solar industry (via Reuters)

3GW of new solar PV plants being developed in China by Yingli (via CleanTechnica)

Is concentrating solar power the technology that saves humanity? (via CleanTechnica)

Is the IRS considering solar REITs? (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind contracts may push Austin Energy to 35% renewable energy goal (via Austin American-Statesman)

CLIMATE 

Losing fight vs. climate change, cities around the world find ways to live with it (via Washington Post/AP)

UN global climate talks blocked by Russia set back six months (via Bloomberg)

UN climate talks make “concrete progress” toward global deal at Bonn (via BusinessGreen)

Climate science debate has cost Australia precious time, warns expert (via The Guardian)

Obama leaves climate change-fighting tool on shelf for now (via Reuters)

Pentagon bracing for public dissent over climate and energy shocks (via The Guardian)

Dwindling snow – thanks to climate change – might dry out Los Angeles (via Time)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Chevron’s $10 billion Angola LNG export plant ships first cargo (via Bloomberg)

Study says exports will have significant impact on US natural gas prices (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking fuels water battles in driest US states (via Politico/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Ford says its regenerative brakes have saved 100 million gallons of gas (via Autoblog Green)

Consumer Reports says higher CAFÉ standards will save car buyers $4,600 (via Autoblog Green)

GM still talking about 300-mile EVs with high-density batteries (via AutoblogGreen)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK Green Deal energy efficiency makeover could boost property values £16,000 (via BusinessGreen)

MEETS could be most innovative energy efficiency financing tool yet (via Greentech Media)

14 ways to slim your power bill this summer (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

IEA chief economist: climate change a financial threat to oil companies (via Houston Chronicle)

Australia to boost offshore oil exploration (via Yahoo! News/IANS)

Northern Alberta pipeline was only five years old before toxic spill (via Globe and Mail)

North Dakota shale oil production continues record pace (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENVIRONMENT 

World’s biggest marine sanctuary could be declared in Antarctic (via The Guardian)

After Supreme Court water ruling, what’s next for Texas? (via StateImpact Texas)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear plants, old and uncompetitive, closing earlier than expected (via New York Times)

GRID 

Explaining how a capacity market works (via Energy Collective)

Smart meters save California Navy base $35,000 annually (via Energy Manager Today)

The microgrid solution (via Resilience)

POLITICS 

Obama’s Keystone silence is driving away green activists (via Bloomberg)

Senate Energy Chairman Ron Wyden has broad agenda and an eye toward a dream job (via National Journal)

Baucus sees “creeping” interest in carbon tax (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What to do about climate change (via Washington Post)

The big green business opportunity for America’s economy (via CleanTechnica)

Heartland Institute’s Chinese Academy of Sciences fantasy (via Climate Progress)

CAP report “300 Engines of Growth” features clean energy and climate solutions (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE 

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE 

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.12.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

COAL 

Coal power pollution costs Europe millions of working hours a year (via BusinessGreen)

Undervalued coal leases costing US taxpayers millions (via New York Times)

CLIMATE 

Global warming set to approach 4C by 2100 (via RTCC)

Mexico unveils national climate change strategy (via Sustainable Business)

Obama to ramp up international climate action, says adviser (via The Hill)

States address extreme weather disasters’ staggering costs (via Stateline)

New York City launches $19.5 billion climate resiliency plan (via Climate Central)

Island in the sun: why are our cities heating up faster than everywhere else? (via Grist)

RENEWABLES 

PV materials market to reach $27.2 billion in 2018 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Trina Solar says EU anti-dumping tariff closes solar markets (via Bloomberg)

Germany’s PV generation peaked at 23.4GW on June 6 (via Greentech Media)

UK creates offshore wind investment body (via Recharge)

Federal court ruling called a game changer for renewable electricity (via Greenwire)

Utilities’ appetite for wind energy continues to grow (via Renew Grid)

Home rooftops: the bright spot for US solar market in 2013 (via GigaOm)

Wells Fargo reports $6.4 billion green project financing in 2012 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

California shared renewables bills gain momentum (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

IEA: oil demand in developing world surpasses wealthy nations (via Reuters)

Exxon funds $200 million on Arctic oil research in Russia (via Houston Chronicle)

Cleanup work after BP oil spill ends in three states (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

DOE launches “eGallon” to help compare cost of fueling with electricity vs. gasoline (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla to make superchargers more efficient, expand network to 98% of US (via Inhabitat)

EMISSIONS 

Europe must cut emissions 55% by 2030 to tackle carbon credit glut (via BusinessGreen)

US government is fourth-biggest greenhouse gas polluter in America (via Grist)

NUCLEAR 

Atomic power’s green light, or red flag? (via New York Times)

GRID 

Smart grid technology market will reach $73 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Report says renewables, natural gas should work together on the grid (via Houston Chronicle)

Demand response drops in PJM capacity auction (via Navigant Research)

$10 million in funding announced for New York State smart grid projects (via Renew Grid)

California sets energy storage target of 1.3GW by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Utilities and distributed energy: further reading (via Grist)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge shuts major Ontario pipelines after oil leak (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

White House plots climate strategy with Senate, House Democrats (via The Hill)

GOP bill would limit environmental review of offshore drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

DOE IG casts doubt on contract work by ex-congresswoman (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.7.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

GRID 

Utilities outline smarter, more resilient grid to cope with future storms (via ClimateWire)

During major storms, utilities turn to technology (via Navigant Research)

What municipal utilities want from the smart grid (via Greentech Media)

COAL

Global coal consumption booms nearly 60% as China consumes 47% of total (via Facts of the Day)

RENEWABLES 

US mulling solar trade agreement with EU, China (via Reuters)

Major global markets continue to determine wind’s path (via Renewable Energy World)

Feed-in tariff spurs Japan solar power boom (via Washington Post)

North America and Asia-Pacific lead geothermal market (via Navigant Research)

Tidal energy could be next big wave (via Forbes)

Report shows US solar annual capacity passed 2GW in 2012 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Ethanol leading to a corn-based bubble (via Houston Chronicle)

DOE launches geothermal regulatory roadmap for project developers (via CleanTechnica)

NREL announces 2012 utility green power program leaders (via Renew Grid)

Nebraska governor signs wind incentive bill into law (via Recharge)

Connecticut governor signs bill amending RPS to include hydropower (via Renew Grid)

Solar Foundation releases solar guide for homeowner associations (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Interior Secretary says no new oil drilling in Atlantic as GOP forges ahead (via The Hill)

Gulf oil wells have been leaking since 2004 hurricane (via Grist)

Oil boom masks technological limits that could stifle long-term Bakken potential (via EnergyWire)

Few objections to fracking rule from oil industry, says Interior Secretary (via The Hill)

Oil industry drove economic booms in North Dakota, Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Arctic summers could be nearly ice-free in seven years (via Grist)

UN beats $30 billion goal to fund climate aid in poorer nations (via Bloomberg)

Slicing open stalagmites to reveal climate secrets (via Mother Jones)

More pieces of global warming puzzle assembled by recent research (via The Guardian)

NUCLEAR 

NRC orders owners of 31 US nuclear reactors to toughen vents (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

European demand for voluntary offsets surges in private sector (via GreenBiz)

Germany in new push against EU car emissions plan (via Reuters)

Measuring carbon in soil takes a leap forward (via Phys.org)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Detroit’s huge petcoke pile makes its way back to Canada (via New York Times)

Harry Reid says Keystone XL vote coming in US Senate (via The Hill)

Obama dogged by Keystone XL protesters during Bay Area visit (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

US irrigation subsidies leading to more water use (via New York Times)

Time for US to rely less on shovels, hoses, retardant in fighting wildfires? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Dell pledges waste-free packaging by 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Federal government give industry, environmentalists more time to study drilling rule (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk will drive Model S from LA to New York (via Green Car Reports)

Want to boost fuel economy? Stop thinking about miles per gallon. (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Obama officials face tough questions on oil drilling, land access (via Houston Chronicle)

A bipartisan energy committee stuck in a partisan Senate (via National Journal)

OPINION 

How “tower power” is breaking open the rural clean energy market (via Greentech Media)

Distributed solar has arrived (via Navigant Research)